Just received my new Blackbird from Jerry. What a terrific whistle! A beautiful tone and wonderful between octaves. I really enjoy this whistle. Thanks, Jerry, for such a terrific instrument.
Peace.
Sounds great.
I am waiting for mine to arrive soon, as long as it doesn’t get stopped in customs.
I used to have a Freeman Tweaked Generation D brass that was absolutely the BOMB. It was hands down my favorite whistle. I liked it better than my Sindt or or Burke or even my Overton…any of 'em. (and like most on this site from what I gather I have struggled with whoa) It was freaking awesome and I was ready to trade 'em all in and just become a champion of the tweaked Gen D.
Then one day I dropped it and the fipple extension that Jerry put in as part of the tweaking fell out. So I promptly and perhaps a bit desperately too, ordered two new ones from some one on line (that way I’d have a back up, just in case) When they arrived I ripped open the package like a 4 year old on x-mass…at last my whistle tooting world would be back to normal! To my utter and complete disapointment one of 'em was not any where near as good as the first and the other was much worse to the point of being borderline unplayable in the upper register. Very raspy and sqeaky to be specific. I’ve had untweaked Gens that were better. I also ordered a Tweaked Mellow Dog too, it was …ehhh…so so. Out of desperation, I ordered another Gen D from someone else, this time nickle plated. OK, but still not the apparently elusive “great” tweaked Gen D.
I’m not trying to sound neagtive. I know Jerry contributes to this site and I am truly a fan and supporter of Jerry’s work. I realize that whistle making/tweaking is far from an exact science and that getting any two let alone all of 'em to sound alike is not likely to happen. But I do wonder, has anyone else had this kind of experience with Jerry’s tweaked whistles? It’s been kinda frustrating (not to mention costly). And more importantly, (as I’m sure many of you know this kind of feeling who are still looking for that elusive prefect whistle) I thought I had found THE whistle. How can I get another one like the first?
I’m hoping maybe Jerry’s new “Bird” will fill the VOID.
P
Hmm … I wonder why you didn’t simply contact the maker (Jerry) to have the damaged whistle repaired, or have another made to your preferred voicing, instead of fishing for a comparable replacement from other sources. And/or why you can’t do that now. My impression from working with Jerry is that he has remarkably good control over the exact voicing of his instruments.
Paul, give me your mailing address, and I’ll send you a Blackbird. No charge, of course.
Regarding tweaked Generations, I would recommend that anyone considering a tweaked Generation who doesn’t already have a Mellow Dog or Blackbird, get a Mellow Dog or Blackbird first. As Paul has reported, Generations are variable. They are the most difficult whistles I work with to get consistent results. I’d be happier if I could spend more of my time with the Mellow Dogs and Blackbirds, and less with Generations.
Best wishes,
Jerry
I’ve not tried one of Jerry’s Gens, but from my own experience with the Mellow Dog I know that some of his whistles can take a little perseverance and adjusting of technique to get the best out of them.
I have a Mellow Dog that I’ve had for a couple of years. At first I just couldn’t get on with it. Breath technique that tamed a standard Feadog or Generation didn’t cut it with the Dog. I posted here to say as much and was told to keep at it. I did keep at it, and the Mellow Dog is one of my favourite whistles.
It wouldn’t surprise me if a period of experiment improved your experience with the replacements. As Jerry says, Gen’s are sometimes inconsistent.
I know some people consider the variability between Generation whistles as apocryphal or unproven, but it is fact. Witness the difference in quality between the “ridged” and smooth Gen Eb heads. One is sweet as a bird, the other is completely unremarkable. Jerry may correct me, but I think that difference is down to molding quality rather than a really different head design, such as the differences between mk I, II and III of the Feadog heads.
Just got my Blackbird yesterday and absolutely love it 
I did not find any problem with the breathing, in fact I found it just the opposite. I found I could go a lot farther with less breath. Maybe that is from playing flute so many years. Anyways, I found the notes clean and easy to obtain. For me it was great for my fingers. I was able to move quickly and with little effort. Can’t say enough good about this whistle.
Great job, Jerry!!!
Sorry if this has been covered in one of the Blackbird threads…
What is the volume like?
Hmmm…I am thinking about getting one of these for my next whistle. Couple of questions though (since I got burned kinda bad with my Susato):
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Is this a whistle that a beginner can play without much effort?
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What does the whistle look like…any pics?
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Is there any sound clips?
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How does it compare to a Traditional Dixon (was thinking about getting a Dixon as my next whistle)?
Rob
perhaps DocJones’ site will have sound clips up soon but he has a nice description (as well as a comparison to the Mellow Dog) on there.
https://www.irishflutestore.com/newsite/products.php?c1=58&c2=84
Blackbird description:
The Jerry Freeman tweaked Blackbird is a standard body penny whistle noted for its pure, birdlike voicing, especially in the high register. It plays clean and pure throughout its range and records beautifully.
Hardcore traditionalists love the Blackbird because it has playing characteristics similar to the traditional mass produced whistles, but with a sweeter, cleaner voicing and smoother playability. It requires a gentle breath control, especially in the lowest notes. The Blackbird is medium in loudness, quieter than some whistles, but with a bright, clear timbre that carries well.
Blackbird vs. Mellow Dog comparison:
The Freeman tweaked Blackbird is a quieter whistle than the Freeman tweaked Mellow Dog. The Blackbird has a purer (you could say “less complex”) voicing, especially in the upper register, which is very birdlike, hence the name. The Blackbird requires more subtle, gentle breath control, whereas the Mellow Dog will accept a more forceful breath. The Blackbird is a standard body whistle; the Mellow Dog is a wide body whistle.
In addition to being a lovely sounding whistle that advanced players enthusiastically endorse, the Blackbird is recommended for beginning players as they develop breath control. Although it requires a gentle breath in the lowest notes, the whistle is very clean playing and consistent throughout its range, so it will reward very quickly, the practice needed for a beginner to master its playing characteristics.
Black whistlehead, nickel plated body.
The Blackbird starts as a key of D Feadog. I don’t call it a tweaked or modified Feadog because it’s an entirely different whistle when I’m finished with it. If I used the name Feadog in describing the Blackbird, it would confuse people.
Best wishes,
Jerry
So then, it’s a nickel Feadóg body with your Blackbird head, correct?
Also, will it fit OK on other standard-sized D brass bodies? Or will it be loose because it’s made to fit a nickel-plated body?
I’m wondering if the Blackbird may play similarly to a Mellow Dog with the C body.
Thanks,
Jason
I think there may be some confusion that may need clearing up. My
blackbird (received yesterday) head has a new ramp glued on, like
the MellowDog head. So, this, as I understand, is not yet using the
head mass-produced by Freeman Whistles, correct?
Yes, that’s right.
Sure, it will fit. In fact, in the course of development, we tested the Blackbird head on different 1/2 inch tubes - Feadóg, Generation, LBW, Waltons - brass, nickel, and aluminum. The Blackbird sound comes through, with some coloration from the tube. If it’s loose, a bit of Teflon/PTFE tape will snug it right up. If you prefer brass, just substitute your favorite brass tube.
I’ll let Jerry answer that, but the Blackbird is a quite different whistle from the Mellow Dog.
Just a note about using tape to snug the fit of Feadog heads to tubes.
It is a perfectly fine way to do it, and I do so myself - especially on my Doolin/Clare two-piece tubes, which are a fraction smaller in diameter than Feadog and Gen tubes. But take care.
Some tubes only need a half-wind of tape. Feadog heads are really quite prone to cracking under stress - usually lengthwise along the window ramp and blade, or on the bulbous curve on the underside of the head.
Don’t make the fit too tight or force the head on too hard.
It’d be doubly tragic to split a Jerry-modded head.
Hello MTGuru and Jerry Freeman
Thanks for the kind replies.
MTGuru
The saga to replace my beloved Freeman Tweaked Gen D unfolded over several week period about a year or so ago. At that time I was only an occasional visitor to C&F and had no idea how to contact Jerry. As far as I knew he didn’t/doesn’t have a website. In any case it kinda snowballed as buying new whistles had become a habit at that point which I am sure you understand. The the next thing I knew I had 4 tweaked Gen D’s and still not what I was hoping for. I contacted the seller (who will remain nameless) about it and about possibly replacing the bad whistle that IMHO was not up to Jerry’s standard and also as to how I could contact Jerry but got no help at all. Something to the effect of it being a “drop ship”…“what else can I tell you”…”we don’t take returns on wind instruments” kind of thing. I just basically gave up trying. I eventually settled on the Freeman Tweaked Gen D I got from Doc Jones that’s pretty good but still not THE whistle that the first one was.
Jerry Freeman
Thanks for your kind offer of the “blackbird.” I am by no means I looking for a free-bee. I assume that via the link on your profile I can contact you? I will be glad to send you the “bad” whistle so you can hear what I mean and also perhaps you can help me replace my original Gen D that I was so fond of. The other two FT Gen D’s I have are playable. Knowing what I now know about how difficult they are to work with, I’d say they are probably within the parameters of your standards. I never leave home without one of them! I hope you don’t abandon making them altogether. I like the wonderful chiff the complex sound and the tactile feel of the Generation. However, I look forward to trying the “blackbird.” It may be just what I am looking for although the bottom end sounds, from the description, like it may be a little soft for anything but a small 3-4 person session.
Thanks again!
Chef Paul
And Paul, thanks for your thoughtful answer. 
Chef Paul, check your private messages.
Best wishes,
Jerry
I’d say the volume is medium to low. It’s a narrow bore whistle; kind of reminds me of my Dixons in terms of volume. Very nice for an intimate setting. I was playing it in my church’s chapel and it sounded wonderful there, but might be too soft for the larger sanctuary.
Peace.
Bill